Viet Nam, France join hands to repair century-long Long Bien Bridge

Mr. Do Viet Nam, a Deputy Director of the Ha Noi Transport Department was appointed as the team leader.

The team is responsible for coordinating with the French Embassy to propose and implement research activities to renovate Long Bien bridge and develop the content of the project "Support for research and improvement of Long Bien bridge".

Earlier, the Ministry of Transport tasked the Viet Nam Railway Authority and the Viet Nam Railways Corporation (VNR) to take immediate measures to ensure safety of Long Bien Bridge in Ha Noi after the collapse of two concrete floor tiles on the bridge in May.

The Ministry of Transport also assigned its Department of Planning and Investment to review, balance and propose authorized agencies to prioritize the allocation of investment capital for repairing and upgrading the bridge.

Long Bien Bridge, crossing the Red River, was built between 1898 and 1902 under the French colonialism.

With a rail track and two road lanes, the bridge measures 1,680m between abutments and originally comprised 19 spans, alternately 106m and 75m long, making it, at the time of construction, the longest cantilever suspension bridge in the world.

At the beginning of the 20th century Long Bien was the longest and most beautiful steel bridge in Indochina, according to the National Archive.

Long Bien Bridge is one of three arterial routes of the railway industry (including the Ha Noi - Dong Dang, Lang Son, Ha Noi - Hai Phong and Ha Noi - Lao Cai routes).

Classified as a weak bridge, Long Bien Bridge still has to daily serve for tens of thousands of vehicles, including trains, motorbikes, and bicycles.

Last year, the bridge was in a seriously deteriorated state and under maintenance, focusing on painting and replacement of degraded sleepers./.